Frank Lampard has warned winger Callum Hudson-Odoi that he must step up in training if he is to earn his way into the Chelsea team, and set aside any doubts over his future at Stamford Bridge.
Hudson-Odoi was previously ear-marked as the heir-apparent to Eden Hazard, but has struggled to establish himself under Lampard. Despite the manager's unswerving faith in his young players, Hudson-Odoi has not featured prominently, and a source told 90min earlier this month that the club are considering loaning him out so that he can pick up minutes elsewhere.
The youngster's work-rate at training is central to their doubts over his ability to make a short-term impact, and while the likes of Mason Mount and Reece James have impressed Lampard with their attitude, Hudson-Odoi is yet to catch his boss' eye.
2020/2021.? pic.twitter.com/Q0Q9MeAid9
— Callum Hudson-Odoi (@Calteck10) September 12, 2020
“I’d be surprised if any player is not disappointed when they don’t play games,” Lampard said, per The Guardian. “With Callum he has to absolutely focus on the work he puts in on the training ground day in, day out. I’ve said it quite a few times.
"I have to think about how players trained, how they play within the team, how we work on the ball and how we work off the ball.
“I have no favourites. I don’t lean on people because I like them. I lean on people because I want people to be successful, which will hopefully make everybody here happy. Callum is a young developing player and a lot of talk has come his way because of the way his career has gone at a young age.
For Callum Hudson-Odoi to achieve his potential, he may have to leave Stamford Bridge. | ✍️ @willyh4m
— 90min (@90min_Football) September 16, 2020
"The facts remain the same for all young players. They have to work every day to put themselves in the frame to start.”
Hudson-Odoi made a cameo from the bench against Brighton, but is expected to struggle for any league minutes once Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech return to full fitness. Mason Mount and Kai Havertz complete an impressive group of players competing for places in his position.
Source: 90min
